Content discovery and playback in a network environment

ABSTRACT

A processing resource detects that a subscriber entity subscribes to at least a first content service provider and a second content service provider. The processing resource receives a first message indicating content available to the subscriber entity for selective retrieval from the first content service provider. The processing resource receives a second message indicating content available to the subscriber entity for selective retrieval from the second content service provider. Based on at least the first message and the second message, the processing resource produces a content guide to include at least first content available to the subscriber entity for retrieval from the first service provider and second content available to the subscriber entity for retrieval from the second service provider. Via display of the content guide, a respective subscriber is able to view content available from multiple service providers.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of earlier filed U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/884,034 entitled “CONTENT DISCOVERY ANDPLAYBACK IN A NETWORK ENVIRONMENT,” filed on Oct. 15, 2015, the entireteachings of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/884,034 is a continuationapplication of earlier filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/506,832entitled “CONTENT DISCOVERY AND PLAYBACK IN A NETWORK ENVIRONMENT,”filed on Oct. 6, 2014, the entire teachings of which are incorporatedherein by this reference.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/506,832 is a continuationapplication of earlier filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/719,719entitled “CONTENT DISCOVERY AND PLAYBACK IN A NETWORK ENVIRONMENT,”filed on Dec. 19, 2012, the entire teachings of which are incorporatedherein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

Conventional cable networks often support multiple types of retrieval ofcontent. For example, conventional cable networks typically supportretrieval of cable television content via use of a so-called set-topbox. In certain instances, an input of the set-top box is typicallycoupled to a shared cable to receive content from a cable networkservice provider; an output of the set-top box is coupled to a playbackdevice such as a television display screen. Among other functions, thesubscriber controls the set-top box to tune to one or more differentavailable cable channels of content received on the shared cable to playback selected cable channel content on a respective television displayscreen.

Conventional cable networks also typically support Internet services viause of a so-called cable modem. One port of the cable modem is coupledto the shared cable; another port of the cable modem is coupled to acomputer device or gateway device operated in the home environment. Thecable modem enables the subscriber operating the computer device tocommunicate over the shared cable and request retrieval of so-calledover-the-top content from any of one or more web servers. In a reversedirection, the cable modem enables the subscriber to receive requestedcontent for playback on the computer device.

One way to notify a respective subscriber of available content is toprovide a channel guide. In response to receiving input from thesubscriber to view a channel guide of available content, a set-top boxinitiates display of a cable service provider generated list ofavailable titles of content that are available from the content serviceprovider. In certain instances, such as a guide displaying scheduledlinear television content, the user can select from the titles ofcontent available in the channel guide to tune to a respective channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Conventional techniques of utilizing content guides suffer from a numberof deficiencies. For example, in many instances, as previouslydiscussed, a user must view a standardized content guide produced by arespective service provider to view available content from a particularcontent service provider. For example, to view titles of correspondingcontent that is available from a first content service provider such asa cable network service provider, the subscriber relies on use of an inthe set-top box to initiate display of the cable network serviceprovider's program guide. To view titles of corresponding content thatare available from a second content service provider (e.g., anover-the-top service provider) such as Netflix™, the subscriber utilizesa second application to initiate display of the second serviceprovider's content guide to view available content. Unfortunately, toview content available from different service providers, the subscribermust switch between operating different devices to view contentavailable from the different service providers.

Embodiments herein deviate with respect to conventional techniques. Forexample, one embodiment herein is directed to producing a consolidatedcontent guide indicating content available from different serviceproviders. The content guide can include titles of content available forretrieval (via a cable network connection) from a cable network serviceprovider as well as titles of over-the-top content available forretrieval (via an Internet service) from a second service provider toproduce a consolidated content guide.

More specifically, in accordance with a first embodiment, a processingresource detects that a subscriber entity subscribes to at least a firstcontent service provider and a second content service provider. Theprocessing resource receives a first message indicating contentavailable to the subscriber entity for retrieval from the first contentservice provider. The processing resource receives a second messageindicating content available to the subscriber entity for retrieval fromthe second content service provider. Retrieval by the client can includeselective retrieval, scheduled retrieval, scheduled to record, scheduledplayback, etc. Based on at least the for message and the second message,the processing resource produces a content guide to include at leastfirst content available to the subscriber entity for retrieval from thefirst service provider and second content available to the subscriberentity for retrieval from the second service provider. By way of anon-limiting example, via display of a rendition of the consolidatedcontent guide, a respective subscriber is able to view available contentfrom multiple different service providers.

In one example embodiment, the first content service provider is a cablenetwork service provider; the second content service provider is anover-the-top content service provider. By further way of a non-limitingexample, the consolidated content guide indicates first contentavailable for retrieval from the cable network service provider. Theconsolidated content guide also indicates second content such asover-the-top content available for retrieval from the second contentservice provider. In one embodiment, the over-the-top content from thesecond content service provider is available for retrieval from thesecond content service provider over IP services provided by the firstcontent service provider.

In accordance with another embodiment, a processing resource in anetwork environment monitors a shared cable network path. The sharedcable network path is managed by a first content service provider.Assume that the processing resource detects presence of a messagetransmitted to a subscriber domain over the shared cable network path.Assume further that the detected message indicates content available forretrieval by the subscriber from the second content service provider.The processing resource communicates availability of the content asindicated by the message to a remotely located processing resourcemanaged by the first content service provider. Accordingly, embodimentsherein can include redirecting content advertisement messages (asgenerated by a second content service provider) to a first contentservice provider. In one non-limiting example, the term redirect asdiscussed herein means to transmit a copy of an original message. Theoriginal message can be forwarded to an originally intended recipient.In another non-limiting example embodiment, the term redirect can meanto transmit the message originally intended to an alternativedestination. For example, the original message can be directed to asubscriber. The original message can be rerouted to an alternativesource.

In one embodiment, the first content service provider utilizes thecontent advertisement messages from the second content service providerto produce a consolidated content guide as discussed herein.

In accordance with yet another embodiment, a processing resource isconfigured to receive a content advertisement message from each ofmultiple resources in a network environment. Each of the contentadvertisement messages can indicate availability of respective contentfrom a corresponding resource in the network environment. The processingresource produces a consolidated list indicating from which of themultiple resources the respective content is available for retrieval.The list indicates availability of content from different resources. Theprocessing resource then distributes the consolidated list to a targetresource in the network environment.

In one non-limiting example embodiment, the processing resource forwardsthe consolidated list, which indicates different available content, to aserver resource managed by a cable network service provider. The serverresource managed by the cable network service provider produces aconsolidated content guide to include content as specified by theconsolidated list as well as content available from the cable networkservice provider.

These and other more specific embodiments are disclosed in more detailbelow.

Any of the resources as discussed herein can include one or morecomputerized devices, servers, base stations, wireless communicationequipment, communication management systems, workstations, handheld orlaptop computers, or the like to carry out and/or support any or all ofthe method operations disclosed herein. In other words, one or morecomputerized devices or processors can be programmed and/or configuredto operate as explained herein to carry out different embodiments of theinvention.

Yet other embodiments herein include software programs to perform thesteps and operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below. Onesuch embodiment comprises a computer program product including anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium (i.e., any computerreadable hardware storage medium) on which software instructions areencoded for subsequent execution. The instructions, when executed in acomputerized device having a processor, program and/or cause theprocessor to perform the operations disclosed herein. Such arrangementsare typically provided as software, code, instructions, and/or otherdata (e.g., data structures) arranged or encoded on a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium such as an optical medium (e.g.,CD-ROM), floppy disk, hard disk, memory stick, etc., or other a mediumsuch as firmware or shortcode in one or more ROM, RAM, PROM, etc., or asan Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), etc. The software orfirmware or other such configurations can be installed onto acomputerized device to cause the computerized device to perform thetechniques explained herein.

Accordingly, embodiments herein are directed to a method, system,apparatus, computer program product, etc., that supports operations asdiscussed herein.

One embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium and/or systemhaving instructions stored thereon. The instructions, when executed by aprocessor of a respective computer device, cause the processor ormultiple processors of the system to: detect that a subscriber entitysubscribes to at least a first content service provider and a secondcontent service provider; receive a first message indicating contentavailable to the subscriber entity for selective retrieval from thefirst content service provider; receive a second message indicatingcontent available to the subscriber entity for selective retrieval fromthe second content service provider; and produce a content guide toinclude at least first content available to the subscriber entity forretrieval from the first service provider and second content availableto the subscriber entity for retrieval from the second service provider.

Another embodiment as discussed herein includes a computer readablestorage medium and/or system having instructions stored thereon. Theinstructions, when executed by a processor of a respective computerdevice, cause the processor or multiple processors of the system to:monitor a shared cable network path managed by a first content serviceprovider; detect presence of a message transmitted to a subscriber overthe shared cable network path, the message indicating content availablefor retrieval by the subscriber from the second content serviceprovider; and communicate availability of the content as indicated bythe message to a server resource managed by the first content serviceprovider.

Yet another embodiment includes a computer readable storage mediumand/or system having instructions stored thereon. The instructions, whenexecuted by a processor of a respective computer device, cause theprocessor or multiple processors of the system to: receive a contentadvertisement message from each of multiple resources in a networkenvironment, each of the content advertisement messages indicatingavailability of respective content from a corresponding resource in thenetwork environment; produce a consolidated list indicating from whichof the multiple resources the respective content is available forretrieval; and distribute the consolidated list to a target resource inthe network environment.

The ordering of the steps in the above embodiments has been added forclarity sake. Note that any of the processing steps as discussed hereincan be performed in any suitable order.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure include software programsand/or respective hardware to perform any of the method embodiment stepsand operations summarized above and disclosed in detail below.

It is to be understood that the system, method, apparatus, instructionson computer readable storage media, etc., as discussed herein also canbe embodied strictly as a software program, firmware, as a hybrid ofsoftware, hardware and/or firmware, hardware alone such as within aprocessor, within an operating system, within a software application,etc.

Techniques herein are well suited for use in network environmentssupporting distribution of content from different content serviceproviders. However, it should be noted that embodiments herein are notlimited to use in such applications and that the techniques discussedherein are well suited for other applications as well.

Additionally, note that although each of the different features,techniques, configurations, etc., herein may be discussed in differentplaces of this disclosure, it is intended, where suitable, that each ofthe concepts can optionally be executed independently of each other orin any combination with each other. Accordingly, the one or more presentinventions as described herein can be embodied and viewed in manydifferent ways.

Also, note that this preliminary discussion of embodiments hereinpurposefully does not specify every embodiment and/or incrementallynovel aspect of the present disclosure or claimed invention(s). Instead,this brief description only presents general embodiments andcorresponding points of novelty over conventional techniques. Foradditional details and/or possible perspectives (permutations) of theinvention(s), the reader is directed to the Detailed Description sectionand corresponding figures of the present disclosure as further discussedbelow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an example diagram illustrating aggregation of information andgeneration of a consolidated content guide according to embodimentsherein.

FIG. 2 is an example diagram illustrating redirection of contentadvertisement messages to create consolidated content guide according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating distribution and use of aconsolidated content guide according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 4 is an example diagram illustrating redirection of contentadvertisement messages to an aggregator resource according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 5 is another example diagram illustrating redirection of contentadvertisement messages to an aggregator according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram illustrating transmission of contentavailability information to an aggregator resource according toembodiments herein.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating discovery of contentavailability information in a subscriber domain of a cable networkenvironment according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating a consolidated content guideindicating availability of content from multiple different resources ina cable network environment according to embodiments herein.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example hardware architecturesupporting execution of instructions and methods according toembodiments.

FIGS. 10, 11, and 12 are flowcharts illustrating example methodsaccording to embodiments herein.

The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of theinvention will be apparent from the following more particulardescription of preferred embodiments herein, as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to thesame parts throughout the different views. The drawings are notnecessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed uponillustrating the embodiments, principles, concepts, etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As discussed above, by way of a non-limiting example embodiment, aprocessing resource detects that a subscriber entity subscribes to atleast a first content service provider and a second content serviceprovider. The processing resource receives a first message indicatingcontent available to the subscriber entity for selective retrieval fromthe first content service provider. The processing resource receives asecond message indicating content available to the subscriber entity forselective retrieval from the second content service provider. Based onaggregation of at least the first message and the second message, theprocessing resource produces a consolidated content guide to indicate atleast first content available to the subscriber entity for retrievalfrom the first service provider and second content available to thesubscriber entity for retrieval from the second service provider.

Via display of the consolidated content guide, a respective subscriberis able to view content available from multiple service providers. Asfurther described herein, a redirector resource can be used tofacilitate forwarding of content availability information to arespective aggregator resource that produces the consolidated contentguide.

As discussed herein, embodiments herein include producing a consolidatedguide, where a corresponding user can look for a video title and learnall of the different ways they can watch that title. The consolidatedcontent guide can indicate content available from a local hard drive,content available from a networked PC, content available from a cablenetwork environment channel lineup, video on demand, etc. Theconsolidated content guide can be extended to include VoD (Video onDemand) mechanisms, such as pricing from different sources.

FIG. 1 is an example diagram illustrating aggregation of information andgeneration of a content guide according to embodiments herein.

One embodiment herein includes a processing resource 135 disposed innetwork environment 100. In this example embodiment, processing resource135 includes an aggregator resource 140 and a content guide generatorresource 150. The aggregator resource 140 and the content guidegenerator resource 150 can be co-located or located at differentlocations in network environment 100.

As its name suggests, content guide generator resource 150 generates acontent guide 160 for respective subscriber David Johnston.

In one embodiment, the subscriber David Johnston subscribes to multipledifferent content retrieval services. For example, assume that DavidJohnston subscribes to a first content plan in which the subscriber hasaccess to content available from a first content service provider 120-1.Assume that David Johnston subscribes to a second content plan in whichthe subscriber has access to content available from a second contentservice provider 120-2.

Subscriber information 170 can be configured to indicate informationsuch as the one or more services to which the subscriber subscribes.

In one non-limiting example embodiment, to generate the content guide160, the processing resource 135 first determines to which of one ormore one or more services a user subscribes. In this example, theprocessing resource 135 accesses subscriber information 170. Subscriberinformation 170 can indicate the different content delivery services(e.g., cable network services, Netflix™, etc.) to which a usersubscribes. The subscriber information 170 can be received from anysuitable type of resource such as from the subscriber, third parties(e.g., Netflix™), etc. d Assume in this example that the processingresource 135 detects that the user (e.g., David Johnston) subscribes tomultiple content service providers including first content serviceprovider 120-1 and a second content service provider 120-2.

The subscriber information 170 can be stored in any suitable resourceaccessible to the processing resource 135. In one embodiment, thesubscriber provides notification to which of one or more streamingcontent services the subscriber subscribes. In this example, assume thatthe subscriber subscribes to both a first content service provider 120-1and a second content service provider 120-2.

Further, in this example embodiment, assume that the aggregator resource140 receives first message information 105-1 (e.g., content availabilityinformation) indicating content available to the subscriber DavidJohnston for selective retrieval from the first content service provider120-1.

Assume that the aggregator resource 140 also receives messageinformation 105-2 (e.g., content availability information) indicatingcontent available to the subscriber David Johnston for selectiveretrieval from the second content service provider 120-2. As furtherdiscussed herein, note that the aggregator resource 140 can passivelyreceive message from other source or the aggregator resource 140 maysend out requests for such information. In accordance with oneembodiment, the aggregator resource 140 (or other device) in the networkenvironment may generate a query such as “Do you have any content?” or“Do you have the Wizard of Oz?”

The aggregator resource 140 may also receive additional contentavailability information such as message information 105-3 indicatingcontent available to the subscriber David Johnston for selectiveretrieval from the storage resource 128 (such as a repository located ina respective subscriber domain).

In this non-limiting example, the message information 105-1 indicatesthat the subscriber David Johnston is able to access content A fromcontent service provider 120-1; the message information 105-2 indicatesthat the subscriber David Johnston is able to access content B fromcontent service provider 120-2; the message information 105-3 indicatesthat the subscriber David Johnston is able to access content C fromstorage resource 128, and so on.

In a specific non-limiting example embodiment, the aggregator resource140 processes the message 105-1 to identify at least a first title ofcorresponding content available for retrieval by the subscriber from thefirst content service provider 120-1. The aggregator resource 140processes the message information 105-2 to identify at least a secondtitle of corresponding content available for retrieval by the subscriberfrom the second content service provider 120-2. The aggregator resource140 processes message information 105-3 from a storage resource 128located in network environment 100. In such an embodiment, the contentguide generator resource 150 produces the content guide 160 to includethe first title (e.g., the movie “Gone With The Wind”) of correspondingcontent A and the second title (e.g., “The Wizard of Oz”) ofcorresponding content B, etc.

In certain instances, the same content can be available from multipledifferent subscribers. For example, message information 105 can indicatethat “Gone with the Wind” is available from both service provider 120-1and service provider 120-2. In such an instance, a respective generatedcontent guide 160 would indicate that content A is available from bothcontent service provider 120-1 and content service provider 120-2.

The content guide generator resource 150 produces the content guide 160to include a link, reference, etc., to content C such as personalcontent storage resource 128 in subscriber domain.

Based on the received message information 105-1, 105-2, 105-3, etc.,(i.e., content availability information received from one or moredifferent resources) the content guide generator resource 150 produces acontent guide 160 to include: i) a title of first content (e.g., contentA) available to the subscriber entity (e.g., David Johnston) forretrieval from the first service provider 120-1, ii) a title of secondcontent (e.g., content B) available to the subscriber entity forretrieval from the second service provider 120-2, iii) a title of thirdcontent (e.g., content C) available to the subscriber entity forretrieval from the storage resource 128 (e.g., a storage resourcelocated in a subscriber domain), etc.

Thus, content guide 160 can indicate availability of locally or remotelystored content available accessible by the subscriber David Johnston.

If desired, the content guide 160 as produced by the content guidegenerator resource 150 can provide an indication from which location,device, resource, etc., and/or which content service provider respectivecontent is available. For example, as shown, the content guide generatorresource 150 can produce the content guide 160 to include an indicationthat content A is available for retrieval from the first content serviceprovider 120-1. The content guide generator resource 150 can generatethe content guide 160 to include an indication that the content B isavailable for retrieval from the second content service provider 120-2.The content guide generator resource 150 can generate the content guide160 to include an indication that the content C is available forretrieval from respective storage resource 128 in the home networkenvironment or subscriber domain in which the subscriber resides, and soon.

As discussed below in more detail, the content guide generator resource150 can produce the content guide 160 to include further informationsuch as the cost associated with retrieval of respective content fromthe different content service providers, different levels of qualityavailable for viewing the respective content, when the content isavailable for viewing, a name of a respective resource that stores thecontent, a location of the content, etc.

FIG. 2 is an example diagram illustrating redirection of contentadvertisement messages according to embodiments herein.

As shown, content service provider 120-2 can be configured to generatemessage information 105-2 including information about content availablefor retrieval by the subscriber 210-1 (e.g., David Johnston) residing insubscriber domain 250-1.

In one embodiment, network environment 100 includes a redirectorresource 220. By way of a non-limiting example, redirector resource 220can be configured to monitor data traffic (e.g., messages, data packets,content availability information, etc.) passing through a shared cablenetwork path managed by the first content service provider 120-1.

Based on the monitoring, assume that the redirector resource 220 detectspresence of message information 105-2 transmitted to subscriber 210-1over the shared cable network path. Assume also that the redirectorresource 220 processes the message information 105-2 and detects thatthe message information 105-2 indicates content available for retrievalby the subscriber 210-1 from a second content service provider 120-2.

In one embodiment, the message information 105-2 represents one or morecontent advertisement messages transmitted in or across multiplenetworks. In one embodiment, the content service provider 120-2generates the content advertisement messages to indicate availability ofcontent. The content advertisement messages can indicate titles ofavailable content, formatting of the available content, etc.

The redirector resource 220 may allow further transmission of themessage information 105-2 to a target device in subscriber domain 250-1as originally intended by the content service provider 120-2. In otherwords, the redirector resource 220 can be configured to interceptmessage information 105-2, process the received message information105-2 to learn that the message information 105-2 is a contentadvertisement message indicating availability of content from redirectorresource 220, and transmits or redirects at least a copy of the messageinformation 105-2 indicating the available content to aggregatorresource 140. The redirector resource 220 can be configured to forwardthe original message to a target recipient in subscriber domain 250-1.

Thus, embodiments herein can include copying the message information105-2 and transmitting the copied message information 105-2 to theprocessing resource 135 managed by the first content service provider120-1.

In this or any other suitable manner, the aggregator resource 140communicates availability of the content as indicated by the messageinformation 105-2 to processing resource 135 managed by the firstcontent service provider 120-1. In a manner as previously discussed, theprocessing resource 135 produces content guide 160, which is madeavailable to subscriber 210-1 for viewing.

As mentioned, the processing resource 135 (and corresponding componentsaggregator resource 140 and/or content guide generator resource 150)managed by the first content service provider 120-1 produces the contentguide 160 to indicate a combination of the content available to thesubscriber 210-1 for retrieval from the second service provider 120-2 asspecified by the message information 105-2 and content available to thesubscriber 210-1 for retrieval from the first content service provider120-1 over a shared cable network path.

More specifically, as discussed in more detail later in thisspecification, the first content service provider 120-1 may be a cablenetwork service provider. In such an instance, the cable network serviceprovider may enable the subscriber 210-1 to selectively retrieve and/ortune to cable network content such as television programs, video ondemand, etc.

The cable network service provider (such as the first content serviceprovider 120-1) may also provide Internet services or other similarnetwork services to the subscriber 210-1 enabling the respectivesubscriber 210-1 to retrieve so-called over-the-top content from contentservice provider 120-2 over the Internet. In such an instance, thegeneration and distribution of content guide 160 enables the subscriber210-1 to view a combination of content available from the cable networkservice provider and the second content service provider 120-2 thatmakes the over-the-top content (such as 3^(rd) party content from Hulu™,Netflix™, Amazon™, etc.) available over the Internet.

According to conventional techniques, each 3^(rd) party content serviceprovider can offer only a single guide indicating content available fromthe service provider the corresponding subscriber. The guide informationtypically must be retrieved from a dedicated web site managed by thecontent service provider. In contrast to conventional techniques,embodiments herein include combining content availability informationinto a consolidated content guide 160.

As previously mentioned, the message information 105-2 can be or includecontent advertisement messages or advertisements generated by thecontent service provider 120-2 to indicate availability of content fromthe content service provider 120-2. In one embodiment, the contentadvertisement messages are transmitted on a regular basis tocontinuously notify the subscriber 210-1 of the content available to thesubscriber 210-1.

Additional and more specific embodiments of redirecting contentadvertisement messages are described below in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6.

FIG. 3 is an example diagram illustrating distribution and use of acontent guide according to embodiments herein.

As shown, network environment 100 includes server resource 640-1. Serverresource 640-1 can be a cloud server or other cable network equipmentconfigured to distribute content A (such as cable network type content)over cable network resources 690-1 to distribution resource 350. By wayof a non-limiting example, the distribution resource 350 can be and/orinclude a gateway resource, customer edge router, cable modemtermination system, etc. Distribution resource 350 distributes contentavailable from service provider 120-1 over bandwidth in sharedcommunication link 391 in network 190-2.

In one embodiment, the bandwidth in shared communication link 391 isallocated into at least a first portion and a second portion. The firstportion of bandwidth capacity in the shared communication link 391 cansupport IP data packet traffic in which data is delivered based onnetwork addresses. Devices in the cable network environment that use theshared communication link are assigned appropriate network addresses tosend and receive data. The second portion of bandwidth capacity cansupport QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulated) data transmissions in whichcontent is modulated onto and transmitted over one or more carrierfrequency in the shared communication link 391. A respective subscribertunes to a QAM channel to retrieve content over the second bandwidth.

In one embodiment, note that the subscriber is not limited to receivingcontent from service provider 120-1 over QAM channels. For example, thesubscriber 210-1 can initiate retrieval of content from the firstcontent service provider 120-1 via either tuning to appropriate QAMchannels and/or receiving the content as IP data packets depending whichmode content is made available for retrieval by a respective contentservice provider.

In accordance with further embodiments, the subscriber can retrievecontent B from the content service provider 120-2 as IP data packets.

By further way of a non-limiting example, shared communication link 391can be any suitable type of physical or non-physical resource (e.g.,communication link, bandwidth, logical channel, coaxial cable, wireless,fiber optic link, etc.) that provides connectivity between distributionresource 350 and each of multiple subscriber domains 250 (e.g.,subscriber domain 250-1, subscriber domain 250-2, etc.).

As mentioned, shared communication link 391 enables each of multiplesubscribers 210 (e.g., subscriber 210-1, subscriber 210-2, etc.) in arespective service group to share bandwidth on a communication link andretrieve content from different sources. For example, the subscribers210 can tune a respective communication device to play back content fromreceived from content service provider 120-1. Content A can be contentsuch as scheduled cable television programs, video on demand programs,etc., available to each of the subscribers 210 that shares use ofcommunication link 391 and that subscribe to services provided bycontent service provider 120-1.

As previously discussed, in addition to subscribing to cable networkservices and corresponding content, each of the subscribers 210 cansubscribe to Internet services (such as over-the-top services) availablefrom content service provider 120-1. Via the Internet services, and useof a portion of bandwidth in the shared communication link 391, each ofthe subscribers can initiate retrieval of over-the-top content from oneor more content service providers such as service provider 120-2 forplayback in a respective subscriber domain. In other words, as discussedherein, the subscriber 210-1 can initiate retrieval of over-the-topcontent from service provider 120-2 using Internet services provided byservice provider 120-1.

Thus, first content such as content A can be available to thesubscribers over a first portion of bandwidth (such as QAM channels) onthe shared communication link 391. Second content such as content B froma second content service provider 120-2 can be available to thesubscribers over a second portion of bandwidth (such as bandwidth thatsupports IP type services) on the shared communication link 391.

In this example embodiment, the subscriber 210-1 retrieves content guide160 for viewing on a respective display screen. The content guide 160can be retrieved from the content service provider 120-1 in any suitablemanner. For example, in one non-limiting example embodiment, theconsolidated content guide 160 can be retrieved by the subscriber 210-1from a web page.

Via the content guide 160, the subscriber 210-1 is able to view contentavailable from both content service providers 120-1 and 120-2.

In certain instances, a portion of the content available from thedifferent content service providers is the same. In such an instance,the content can be retrieved from each of the content service providers.The same content may be available in different formats. For example, oneversion of content may allow playback without commercials, anotherversion of the content may allow playback of content withoutcommercials, or different aspect ratios, display resolutions, CODECS,formatting, etc.

For cases in which the same content is available from multiple differentservice providers, the content guide generator resource 150 can generatecontent guide 160 to indicate pricing information so that the subscriber210-1 is able to determine how much the content would cost to retrievefrom the different resources.

As a more specific example, the content guide 160 can indicate that themovie “Gone With The Wind” is available for consumption from bothcontent service provider 120-1 and content service provider 120-2. Thecontent guide 160 can indicate that the movie “Gone With The Wind” canbe rented for viewing from the content service provider 120-1 for $3.99.The content guide 160 can indicate that the movie “Gone With The Wind”can be rented for viewing from the content service provider 120-2 for$7.99.

In this example embodiment, via the content guide 160, the subscriber210-1 can determine which of the content service providers to retrieveand view respective content (e.g., “Gone With The Wind”).

In further embodiments, the subscriber 210-1 generates a request toretrieve and view content guide 160. As mentioned, content guide 160 canbe retrieved in any suitable manner.

For example, the subscriber 210-1 can be configured to generate arequest to retrieve the content guide 160 from a web site over theInternet. In accordance with further embodiments, the subscriber 210-1can initiate retrieval of the content guide 160 via inputting anappropriate command to a set-top box that initiates retrieval andsubsequent display of the content guide 160 on a respective displayscreen driven by the set-top box.

In accordance with another embodiment, the subscriber can initiateretrieval of the content guide 160 via a browser executing on a computerdevice. The browser can be located in a media player application toretrieve and playback all or a portion of the available contentspecified in the content guide. By way of a non-limiting example, thecontent can be retrieved from a respective server resource in accordancewith the HTML 5 (HyperText Markup Language 5) protocol.

Thus, embodiments herein can include: in response to receiving a requestfrom the subscriber entity to view content guide 160, the contentservice provider 120-1 initiates distribution of the content guide 160for viewing by the subscriber 210-1.

Further embodiments herein can include receiving selection of contentdisplayed in the content guide 160 and initiating display of theselected content. As an example, the content service provider 120-1 canreceive selection (by the subscriber 210-1) of a particular title ofcontent displayed in a rendition of the content guide 160 displayed on arespective display device in the subscriber domain 250-1. In response tothe selection, the corresponding processing device (e.g., set-top box,computer device, etc.) receives the selection and initiates retrieval ofthe selected content from the appropriate resource. The target resourcestoring the requested content receives the selection and initiatesretrieval and distribution of the selected content to the subscriberentity.

As a more specific example, assume that the subscriber 210-1 selectscontent A for viewing via a service such as video on demand offered bythe content service provider 120-1. The server resource 640-1 operatedby content service provider 120-1 receives the command from subscriber210-1 and responds to the request by retrieving and distributingrequested content A over network 690-1 to distribution resource 350.Distribution resource 350 transmits content A over shared communicationlink 391 to a respective device operated by subscriber 210-1 forplayback.

Assume that the subscriber 210-1 selects content B for viewing. In oneembodiment, the device operated by the subscriber to view the contentguide 160 launches an appropriate application to retrieve respectivecontent B as streaming content from the second content service provider120-2. After providing appropriate subscriber identity and authorizationinformation to the content service provider 120-2, to retrieve content,the subscriber generates a request for content B over the Internetservice (as provided by content service provider 120-1) to serverresource 640-2 managed by content service provider 120-2. In response tothe request for content B, the server resource 640-2 responds to therequest by retrieving and distributing requested content B over network190-1 via distribution resource 350 using an appropriate InternetProtocol and to a network address of the requesting playback deviceoperated by the subscriber 210-1. Distribution resource 350 participatesin transmission of content B as over-the-top content over sharedcommunication link 391 to a respective device operated by subscriber210-1 for playback.

In this manner, via an appropriate target network address of theplayback device in subscriber domain 250-1, the server resource 640-2 isable to transmit content B to a respective device operated by subscriber210-1 for storage and/or subsequent playback.

In accordance with further embodiments, note that the content availablefrom the content service provider 120-1 also can be available asso-called IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) as opposed to a QAMchannel. In such an instance, the available content A displayed in arendition of the content guide 160 can be associated with a respectivenetwork address (or multiple network addresses) indicating a respectiveresource (e.g., server resource 640-1) from which the respective contentA can be retrieved. In response to receiving selection of a title (e.g.,reference) of content A displayed in the rendition of the content guide160, a respective device in the subscriber domain 250-1 initiates IPcommunications with the server resource 640-1 to retrieve content A forplayback.

As previously discussed, the available content B displayed in thecontent guide 160 can be associated with a respective network address(or multiple network addresses) indicating a respective resource (e.g.,server resource 640-2) from which the respective content B can beretrieved. In a similar manner as previously discussed, in response toreceiving selection of content B displayed in the rendition of thecontent guide 160, a respective device in the subscriber domain 250-1initiates communications with the server resource 640-2 to retrievecontent B for playback.

Note that there are instances in which the content guide 160 can includean extensive listing of titles of content that are retrievable frommultiple different resources in network environment 100. The list ofavailable content may be too large to simultaneously display allavailable titles of content on the display screen. One embodiment hereinincludes a search function supporting search capability. The searchfunction can be configured to execute on the device operated by thesubscriber 210-1. In response to receiving search criteria from thesubscriber to find, for example, a specific title of content, the searchfunction searches the content guide 160 for availability of content asspecified by the search criteria.

In one non-limiting example embodiment, assume that particular contentsatisfying the search is available from both the first content serviceprovider 120-1 and the second content service provider 120-2. Inresponse to detecting that the content as specified by the searchcriteria is available from both the first content service provider 120-1and the second content service provider 120-2, the search functioninitiates display of an appropriate message to the subscriber 210-1notifying the subscriber that the content as specified by the searchcriteria is available from both the first content service provider andthe second content service provider. Notification can include updating adisplay of the content guide 160 on a respective display screen toindicate the content that satisfies the search criteria.

In similar manner as previously discussed, a display function can beconfigured to initiate display of pricing information to indicate thecost of renting (i.e., retrieving and viewing) the title of content fromeach of multiple different content service providers. Accordingly, asubscriber can make an informed decision as to which content serviceprovider to retrieve the respective content.

In one embodiment, the subscriber domain includes communication device122 (e.g., a first client) and communication device 125 (e.g., a secondclient). Each of the communication devices can include a respectivemedia player application to play back retrieved content. As previouslydiscussed, the subscriber 210-1 can initiate display of content guide160 on a respective communication device. Each respective communicationdevice can retrieve content B from server resource 640-2 via generationof one or more content requests (such as HTTP (Hyper Text TransferProtocol) requests) to server resource 640-2.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate multiple example ways in which to redirectmessages to an aggregator resource according to embodiments herein.

Conventional service discovery is generally done in the home today byway of service advertisements. Examples of conventional discovery can bedone via mDNS protocol, Microsoft's LLMNP, and the neutral DLNA, etc.Embodiments herein can include extending one or more of these protocolsto allow them to traverse a home network with multiple hierarchies ofnetworks. For example, the extended protocol as discussed herein can beconfigured to support distribution of content advertisement messages toadvertise the availability of different content from different resourcesacross networks in the hierarchy. Such methods may require devices suchas routers in each network to be aware of and support a contentavailability protocol supporting advertisements of available content.

In one embodiment, when a cable network-owned router (such as a homegateway, CMTS, or IP-capable set top, etc., managed by the first contentservice provider 120-1) receives content advertisement message (i.e.,messages indicating availability of content), the device relays thosemessages to a cable network server, which consolidates the informationwith the cable network's own available content and services, and presentthem in content guide 160 to the user.

In accordance with other embodiments, the first content service provider120-1 can be configured to send titles and metadata to the gateway inthe home, which could participate in the content discovery process andproduce the content guide 160.

More specifically, FIG. 4 is an example diagram illustrating redirectionof content discovery messages to an aggregator resource in a cablenetwork environment according to embodiments herein.

In this example, content service provider 120-2 manages (e.g., owns,operates, controls, etc.) server resource 320. In one embodiment, serverresource 320 produces message information 105-2 (e.g., contentavailability information). The message information 105-2 can includeappropriate network addresses to direct and/or transmit it to a personalnetwork or devices in subscriber domain 250-1.

In one embodiment, any of one or more of the communications betweenparties can be performed over a secured link such as a virtual privatenetwork, a tunnel, etc.

In one embodiment, the content service provider 120-2 transmits messageinformation 105-2 (e.g., one or more content advertisement messagesindicating content available from server resource 320) to one or morecomputer devices subscriber domain 250-1. The server resource 320 (ascontrolled by content service provider 120-2) can transmit the messageinformation 105-2 over an Internet service (subscribed to by thesubscriber 210-1) and provide it to devices 122 and 125 by contentservice provider 120-1.

Because the content service provider 120-1 controls at least a portionof network environment 100, the content service provider 120-1 has theability to execute a redirector resource 220 (such as executed switch todetect content advertisement messages) in any suitable location along anetwork path between the distribution resource 350 (e.g., a CMTS, edgerouter, etc.) and the communication system 370-1 (e.g., a cable modem,home edge router, home gateway, etc.). Each of one or more differentcomputer devices such as communication devices 122 and 125 can receiveand transmit communications through communication system 370-1 to remoteresources in network environment 100.

As previously discussed, the redirector resource 220 can be configuredto monitor data traffic (e.g., messages, data packets, etc.) passingthrough a shared cable network path managed by the first content serviceprovider 120-1. In this example embodiment, the distribution resource350 executes the redirector resource 220 to monitor data traffic.

Based on the monitoring, assume that the redirector resource 220 detectspresence of message information 105-2 transmitted to a device insubscriber domain 250-1. The redirector resource 220 can be configuredto analyze the respective data traffic to subscriber 210-1 for specificmessages such as messages indicating available content from a contentservice provider such as content service provider 120-1.

One way to detect presence of content availability message informationpassing through distribution resource 350 is to identify a respectivenetwork address associated with subscriber domain 250-1 and monitor anytraffic passing through distribution resource 350 that has the addressof the subscriber domain 250-1.

In addition to or as an alternative to monitoring data traffic based onnetwork addresses, the redirector resource 220 also can be configured toprocess the communications to subscriber domain 250-1 to determine whichof the messages includes content availability information.

In response to detecting that traffic through the distribution resource350 is targeted to the subscriber domain 250-1 and/or is anadvertisement message indicating availability of content, the redirectorresource 220 transmits at least a copy of the message information 105-1to the aggregator resource 140.

In one embodiment, the redirector resource uses a network address of theaggregator resource 140 to forward the message information 105-2 overnetwork 190-1 to the aggregator resource 140.

In a manner as previously discussed, the aggregator resource 140combines content availability information received from content serviceprovider 120-2 and content service provider 120-1. For example, theaggregator resource 140 receives message 105-1 from the first contentservice provider 120-1. The aggregator resource 140 receives the secondmessage information 105-2 indicating availability of the content fromthe content service provider 120-2 as a redirect message from theredirector resource 220.

In a manner as previously discussed, based on the combined contentavailability information from multiple sources, the content guidegenerator resource 150 produces the content guide 160.

FIG. 5 is an example diagram illustrating redirection of contentadvertisement messages to an aggregator according to embodiments herein.

As previously discussed, the redirector resource 220 can be located inany suitable location in network environment 100. As shown in thisexample embodiment, the redirector resource 220 resides in communicationsystem 370-1 such as a cable modem, video gateway, or home gatewayresource disposed in subscriber domain 250-1.

As previously discussed, the server resource 320 can be configured totransmit one or more content advertisement messages to subscriber domain250-1. For example, the server resource 320 can send to a device orappliance such as communication device 122, communication device 125,etc. Each of the communication devices can then send or distribute thecontent advertisement messages to one or more other resources insubscriber domain 250-1.

In one embodiment, the redirector resource 220 in communication system370-1 monitors communications received over the network path tosubscriber 210-1. As previously discussed, monitoring the network pathcan include processing the messages transmitted over the shared cablenetwork path to identify a set of at least one message transmitted tothe subscriber domain 250-1 (or corresponding devices therein). Inresponse to detecting presence of one or more content advertisementmessages indicating availability of content, the redirector resource 220redirects at least a copy of the corresponding message information 105-2to aggregator resource 140.

In a manner as previously discussed, the aggregator resource 140combines content availability received from content service provider120-2 and content service provider 120-1. For example, the aggregatorresource 140 receives message information 105-1 from a resource managedby the first content service provider 120-1. The aggregator resource 140also receives the second message information 105-2 (as a redirectmessage) from redirector resource 220. The message information 105-2indicates availability of the content from the content service provider120-2.

FIG. 6 is an example diagram illustrating transmission of messageinformation indicating available content according to embodimentsherein.

In this example embodiment, the aggregator resource 140 receives messageinformation 105-2 directly from server resource 320 managed by contentservice provider 120-2.

In accordance with such an embodiment, the aggregator resource 140(managed by content service provider 120-1) receives notificationindicating that the subscriber 210-1 subscribes to content serviceprovider 120-2. The aggregator resource 140 receives the messageinformation 105-2 in any suitable manner. For example, in oneembodiment, the aggregator resource 140 generates a request for contentavailability information from server resource 320 (on behalf of thesubscriber 210-1) to learn of content available to the subscriber 210-1from the content service provider 120-2. The aggregator resource 140 mayprovide identity and authorization information associated with thesubscriber 210-1 to retrieve the content availability information. Inresponse to the query, the aggregator resource 140 forwards the requestto a network address assigned to the server resource 320. In response tothe request, the server resource 320 forwards message information 105-2to aggregator resource 140. Accordingly, the aggregator resource 140 can“pull” information from the server resource 320.

Note that the server resource 320 can be configured to automatically“push” the message information 105-2 to the aggregator resource 140. Forexample, a temporary or continuous communication session can existbetween the aggregator resource 140 and the server resource 320. Theserver resource 320 can be configured to automatically transmit messageinformation messages 105-2 such as one or more content advertisementmessages to the aggregator resource 140 to notify aggregator resource140 of the content that is available to subscriber 210-1.

In a manner as previously discussed, the aggregator resource 140combines content availability information received from at least contentservice provider 120-2 and content service provider 120-1. The contentguide generator resource 150 produces content guide 160 indicatingcontent available to subscriber 210-1 from different service providers.

FIG. 7 is an example diagram illustrating discovery of content in anetwork according to embodiments herein.

As previously discussed, the aggregator resource 140 as discussed hereincan be disposed at any location in network environment 100 to learn ofavailability of content from each of different resources.

In this example embodiment as shown in FIG. 7, an aggregator resource740 is located in a home network environment such as in subscriberdomain 250-1. The home network environment can include a hierarchy ofnetwork segments interconnecting computer devices. As previouslydiscussed, each of one or more devices in subscriber domain can beconfigured to generate one or more content advertisement messages (e.g.,broadcast message, targeted message, etc.) to indicate availability ofrespective content. The content advertisement messages can betransmitted across network segments from one device in the subscriberdomain 250-1 to another.

For example, assume that: communication device 125 generates one or morecontent advertisement messages to indicate that content F is availablefor retrieval from communication device 125 by the subscriber 210-1;communication device 122 generates one or more content advertisement toindicate that content D is available for retrieval by the subscriber210-1; storage resource 128 generates one or more content advertisementmessages to indicate that content C is available for retrieval by thesubscriber 210-1; server resource 320 generates one or more contentadvertisement messages to indicate that content B is available forretrieval from content service provider 120-2 (or server resource640-2); and so on.

In one embodiment as shown, the aggregator resource 740 located insubscriber domain 250-1 aggregates the content advertisement messagesand forwards such information as content availability information 705 toaggregator resource 140. As previously discussed, aggregator resource140 combines content availability information 705 with contentavailability information as indicated by message information 105-1 toproduce content guide 160-2.

In a further embodiment, if desired, note that the aggregator resource740 can be configured to also receive message information 105-1 from thecontent service provider 120-1 as opposed to aggregator resource 140receiving message information 105-1. In such an instance, the aggregatorresource 740 can be configured to forward the combination of all contentavailability information to content guide generator resource 150 toproduce content guide 160-2.

As previously discussed, the content guide generator resource 150 can belocated at any suitable location in network environment 100. In oneembodiment, the content guide generator resource 150 can be located insubscriber domain 250-1. In such an instance, the aggregator resource740 would forward the content availability information 705 to thecontent guide generator resource 150 located in subscriber domain 250-1to produce content guide 160-2.

Note that a subscriber 210-1 need not be located in the subscriberdomain 250-1 to retrieve available content. For example, the subscriber210-1 can operate a computer device in a coffee shop having public WiFi™access. Via a connection over a public WiFi™, the subscriber 210-1 isable to access a web page made available by the first content serviceprovider 120-1. Via the web page access, the subscriber 210-1 canretrieve and view the content guide 160-2 and retrieve content forplayback. In one embodiment, the subscriber 210-1 may select contentstored in a respective set-top box to playback in the computer deviceoperated in the coffee shop. In such an instance, the content serviceprovider 120-1 initiates retrieval and forwarding of the content storedin the respective set-top box to the computer device operated by thesubscriber 210-1 in the coffee shop over the WiFi™ connection.

In accordance with further embodiments, the aggregator resource can belocated in a set-top box in subscriber domain 250-1. In such aninstance, the set-top box can be configured to forward any collectedcontent availability information to a respective content guide generatorresource 150 disposed in the cloud (i.e., network).

FIG. 8 is an example diagram illustrating a content guide indicatingavailability of content from multiple resources according to embodimentsherein.

As previously discussed in FIG. 7, the content guide generator resource150 produces content guide 160-2 based on received content availabilityinformation. In this example embodiment, as indicated by the contentguide 160-2, the subscriber 210-1 is able to retrieve content A fromservice provider 120-1 (or a specific server resource such as serverresource 640-1); the subscriber is able to retrieve content B fromservice provider 120-2 (or a specific server resource such as serverresource 640-2); the subscriber is able to retrieve content D fromdevice 122 in the subscriber domain 250-1; the subscriber is able toretrieve content F from device 125 in the subscriber domain 250-1; thesubscriber is able to retrieve content C from storage device 128 (e.g.,a repository) in the subscriber domain 250-1; and so on.

FIG. 9 is an example block diagram of a computer system for implementingany of the operations as discussed herein according to embodimentsherein.

Computer system 151 can reside any where in network environment 100 andsupport any of the operations as discussed herein. In one embodiment,the computer system 151 executes application 140-1 to facilitateaggregation or redirection of content availability information toproduce a consolidated content guide.

As shown, computer system 151 of the present example can include aninterconnect 811 that couples computer readable storage media 812 suchas a non-transitory type of media (i.e., any type of hardware storagemedium) in which digital information can be stored and retrieved, aprocessor 813, I/O interface 814, and a communications interface 817.

I/O interface 814 provides connectivity to a repository 180 and, ifpresent, other devices such as a display screen 930, keypad controldevice 1005, a computer mouse, etc.

Computer readable storage medium 812 can be any hardware storage devicesuch as memory, optical storage, hard drive, floppy disk, etc. In oneembodiment, the computer readable storage medium 812 stores instructionsand/or data.

Communications interface 817 enables the computer system 150 andprocessor 813 to communicate over a resource such as network 190 toretrieve information from remote sources and communicate with othercomputers. I/O interface 814 enables processor 813 to retrieveinformation stored in repository 180.

As shown, computer readable storage media 812 is encoded with admissioncontrol application 140-1 (e.g., software, firmware, etc.) executed byprocessor 813. Admission control application 140-1 (e.g., encoderapplication) can be configured to include instructions to implement anyof the operations as discussed herein.

During operation of one embodiment, processor 813 (e.g., one or moreprocessor devices) accesses computer readable storage media 812 via theuse of interconnect 811 in order to launch, run, execute, interpret orotherwise perform the instructions in application 140-1 stored oncomputer readable storage medium 812.

Execution of the application 140-1 produces processing functionalitysuch as process 140-2 in processor 813. In other words, the process140-2 (e.g., redirection, aggregation, content guide generation, etc.)associated with processor 813 represents one or more aspects ofexecuting application 140-1 (e.g., functions supported by aggregatorresource 140, redirector resource 220, content guide generator resource150, etc.) within or upon the processor 813 in the computer system 150.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the computer system 151can include other processes and/or software and hardware components,such as an operating system that controls allocation and use of hardwareresources to execute application 140-1.

In accordance with different embodiments, note that computer system maybe any of various types of devices, including, but not limited to, aserver resource, a personal computer system, a wireless device, basestation, phone device, desktop computer, laptop, notebook, netbookcomputer, mainframe computer system, handheld computer, workstation,network computer, application server, storage device, a consumerelectronics device such as a camera, camcorder, set top box, mobiledevice, video game console, handheld video game device, a peripheraldevice such as a switch, modem, router, or in general any type ofcomputing or electronic device. The computer system 150 may reside atany location or can be included in any suitable resource in networkenvironment 100 to implement functionality as discussed herein.

Functionality supported by the different resources will now be discussedvia flowcharts in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12. Note that the steps in theflowcharts below can be executed in any suitable order.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart 1000 illustrating an example method according toembodiments. Note that there will be some overlap with respect toconcepts as discussed above.

In processing block 1010, aggregator resource 140 detects that asubscriber entity subscribes to at least a first content serviceprovider 120-1 and a second content service provider 120-2.

In processing block 1020, the aggregator resource 140 receives a firstmessage indicating content available to the subscriber entity forretrieval from the first content service provider 120-1.

In processing block 1030, the aggregator resource 140 receives a secondmessage indicating content available to the subscriber entity forretrieval from the second content service provider 120-2.

In processing block 1040, the content guide generator resource 150produces a content guide 160 to include at least first content availableto the subscriber entity for retrieval from the first service provider120-1 and second content available to the subscriber entity forretrieval from the second service provider 120-2.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart 1100 illustrating an example method according toembodiments herein. Note that there will be some overlap with respect toconcepts as discussed above.

In processing block 1110, the redirector resource 220 monitors datatraffic passing through a shared cable network path managed by a firstcontent service provider 120-1.

In processing block 1120, the redirector resource 220 detects presenceof a message indicating content available for retrieval by thesubscriber from a second content service provider 120-2. The message istransmitted to the subscriber over the shared cable network path.

In processing block 1130, the redirector resource 220 communicatesavailability of the content as indicated by the message to a processingresource managed by the first content service provider 120-1. In oneembodiment, the first service provider 120-1 generates a content guide160 as discussed herein.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart 1200 illustrating an example method according toembodiments herein. Note that there will be some overlap with respect toconcepts as discussed above.

In processing block 1210, the aggregator resource 140 receives a contentadvertisement message from each of multiple resources in a networkenvironment. Each of the content advertisement messages indicatesavailability of respective content from a corresponding resource in thenetwork environment.

In processing block 1220, the aggregator resource 140 produces aconsolidated list indicating from which of the multiple resources therespective content is available for retrieval.

In processing block 1230, the aggregator resource 140 distributes theconsolidated list to a target resource such as a subscriber in thenetwork environment.

Note again that techniques herein are well suited for producing contentguides, each of which indicates content available to a correspondingsubscriber. However, it should be noted that embodiments herein are notlimited to use in such applications and that the techniques discussedherein are well suited for other applications as well.

Based on the description set forth herein, numerous specific detailshave been set forth to provide a thorough understanding of claimedsubject matter. However, it will be understood by those skilled in theart that claimed subject matter may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, methods, apparatuses, systems, etc., thatwould be known by one of ordinary skill have not been described indetail so as not to obscure claimed subject matter. Some portions of thedetailed description have been presented in terms of algorithms orsymbolic representations of operations on data bits or binary digitalsignals stored within a computing system memory, such as a computermemory. These algorithmic descriptions or representations are examplesof techniques used by those of ordinary skill in the data processingarts to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art.An algorithm as described herein, and generally, is considered to be aself-consistent sequence of operations or similar processing leading toa desired result. In this context, operations or processing involvephysical manipulation of physical quantities. Typically, although notnecessarily, such quantities may take the form of electrical or magneticsignals capable of being stored, transferred, combined, compared orotherwise manipulated. It has been convenient at times, principally forreasons of common usage, to refer to such signals as bits, data, values,elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, numerals or the like. Itshould be understood, however, that all of these and similar terms areto be associated with appropriate physical quantities and are merelyconvenient labels. Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparentfrom the following discussion, it is appreciated that throughout thisspecification discussions utilizing terms such as “processing,”“computing,” “calculating,” “determining” or the like refer to actionsor processes of a computing platform, such as a computer or a similarelectronic computing device, that manipulates or transforms datarepresented as physical electronic or magnetic quantities withinmemories, registers, or other information storage devices, transmissiondevices, or display devices of the computing platform.

While this invention has been particularly shown and described withreferences to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may bemade therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentapplication as defined by the appended claims. Such variations areintended to be covered by the scope of this present application. Assuch, the foregoing description of embodiments of the presentapplication is not intended to be limiting. Rather, any limitations tothe invention are presented in the following claims.

I claim:
 1. A method comprising: via computer processor hardware,performing operations of: receiving communications indicating firstcontent available to a subscriber entity for retrieval from a firstcontent service provider; receiving communications indicating secondcontent available to the subscriber entity for retrieval from a secondcontent service provider, the first content service provider providingthe subscriber entity access to the second content; and producing aconsolidated content guide to include a first group of entries and asecond group of entries, the first group of entries indicating differenttitles of content available from the first content service provider, thesecond group of entries indicating different titles of content availablefrom the second content service provider.
 2. The method as in claim 1,wherein producing the consolidated content guide further comprises:interleaving the first group of entries in the consolidated contentguide amongst the second group of entries in the consolidated contentguide.
 3. The method as in claim 1, wherein an entry in the first groupindicates that the first content is available from the first contentservice provider; and wherein an entry in the second group indicatesthat second content is available from the second content serviceprovider.
 4. The method as in claim 3, wherein the second content isavailable to the subscriber entity over the shared communication linkvia the Internet.
 5. The method as in claim 1, wherein producing theconsolidated content guide includes: producing the consolidated contentguide to include a first entry, the first entry indicating that thefirst content is available from the first content service provider; andproducing the consolidated content guide to include a second entry, thesecond entry indicating that the second content is available from thesecond content service provider.
 6. The method as in claim 5, whereinproducing the consolidated content guide includes: producing the firstentry in the consolidated content guide to indicate that the firstcontent is retrievable via tuning to a television channel controlled bythe first content service provider; and producing the second entry inthe consolidated content guide to indicate that the second content isretrievable from the second content service provider via communicationsto a corresponding server resource assigned a network address.
 7. Themethod as in claim 6 further comprising: in response to receivingselection of the first content displayed in a rendition of theconsolidated content guide, tuning to the television channel to receivethe first content; and in response to receiving selection of the secondcontent displayed in a rendition of the consolidated content guide,initiating communications with the server resource to retrieve thesecond content.
 8. The method as in claim 1, wherein producing theconsolidated content guide further comprises: in response to receivingnotification that the subscriber entity subscribes to the second contentservice provider, initiating retrieval of availability informationindicating attributes of the second content available to the subscriberentity from the second content service provider.
 9. The method as inclaim 1 further comprising: producing the consolidated content guide tobe a unified listing that simultaneously displays: i) attributes of thefirst content available to the subscriber entity for retrieval from afirst content service provider, and ii) attributes of the second contentavailable to the subscriber entity for retrieval from a second contentservice provider.
 10. The method as in claim 1 further comprising:producing the consolidated content guide in response to detecting thatthe subscriber entity subscribes to services provided by both the firstcontent service provider and the second content service provider. 11.The method as in claim 1, wherein producing the content guide furthercomprises: initiating retrieval of content availability informationindicating attributes of the second content available to the subscriberentity from the second content service provider, the subscriber entitysubscribing to the second content service provider; and utilizing thecontent availability information to produce the consolidated contentguide.
 12. The method as in claim 1, wherein the first content in theconsolidated content guide is available to the subscriber entity from achannel lineup of multiple channels provided by the first contentservice provider to a subscriber domain in which the subscriber entityresides.
 13. The method as in claim 1, wherein the first content serviceprovider provides communication hardware for use by the subscriberentity to selectively retrieve the first content and the second contentas specified by the consolidated content guide.
 14. The method as inclaim 1, wherein producing the consolidated content guide includes:producing the first entry in the consolidated content guide to indicatethat the first content is retrievable via tuning to a television channelcontrolled by the first content service provider.
 15. The method as inclaim 1, wherein the first content service provider provides thesubscriber entity access to the second content via communicationhardware disposed in the subscriber domain.
 16. The method as in claim15, wherein the first content service provider controls operation of thecommunication hardware to provide the subscriber entity access to thefirst content and the second content.
 17. The method as in claim 16further comprising: providing a communication device in the subscriberdomain access to the first content and the second content viacommunications through the communication hardware, the communicationhardware in communication with a distribution resource in a network, thedistribution resource providing multiple subscriber domains access tothe first content over a shared communication link provided by the firstcontent service provider.
 18. The method as in claim 1, wherein thefirst content service provider produces and distributes the consolidatedcontent guide to a subscriber domain in which the subscriber entityresides.
 19. The method as in claim 1 further comprising: producing theconsolidated content guide to indicate availability of content from astorage resource in a subscriber domain in which the subscriber entityresides.
 20. A method comprising: via computer processor hardware,performing operations of: receiving a consolidated content guideincluding a unified listing of multiple entries of available content,the unified listing specifying: i) first content available to thesubscriber entity for retrieval from a first content service provider,and ii) second content available to the subscriber entity for retrievalfrom a second content service provider; and initiating distribution ofthe consolidated content guide over a shared communication link operatedby the first content service provider to the subscriber entity.
 21. Themethod as in claim 20, wherein the first content service provider is acable network service provider that provides content delivery servicesover the shared communication link for retrieval of the first content.22. The method as in claim 21, wherein the first content serviceprovider provides the subscriber entity access to the second contentprovided by the second content service provider over the sharedcommunication link.
 23. The method as in claim 20, wherein a cablenetwork service provider produces the consolidated content guide viainput from the second content service provider.
 24. The method as inclaim 20, wherein initiating distribution of the consolidated contentguide over the shared communication link includes: transmitting theconsolidated content guide over the shared communication link inresponse to receiving input from the subscriber entity to simultaneouslyview, in a single unified listing on a display screen, titles ofcorresponding content available from a combination of the first contentservice provider and the second content service provider.
 25. The methodas in claim 20, wherein a rendition of the consolidated content guidesimultaneously displayed by the subscriber entity displays a title ofthe first content available from the first content service provider anda title of the second content available from the second content serviceprovider.
 26. The method as in claim 20 further comprising: receivingsearch criteria from the subscriber entity; searching the consolidatedcontent guide for availability of particular content as specified by thesearch criteria; and in response to detecting that the particularcontent as specified by the search criteria is available from both thefirst content service provider and the second content service provider,via the consolidated content guide, notifying the subscriber entity thatthe content as specified by the search criteria is available from boththe first content service provider and the second content serviceprovider.
 27. A computer system comprising: computer processor hardware;and a hardware storage resource coupled to the computer processorhardware, the hardware storage resource storing instructions that, whenexecuted by the computer processor hardware, cause the computerprocessor hardware to perform the operations of: receiving aconsolidated content guide including a unified listing of multipleentries of available content, the unified listing specifying: i) firstcontent available to the subscriber entity for retrieval from a firstcontent service provider, and ii) second content available to thesubscriber entity for retrieval from a second content service provider;and initiating distribution of the consolidated content guide over ashared communication link operated by the first content service providerto the subscriber entity.
 28. The computer system as in claim 27,wherein the first content service provider is a cable network serviceprovider that provides content delivery services over the sharedcommunication link for retrieval of the first content.
 29. The method asin claim 27, wherein a cable network service provider produces theconsolidated content guide via input from the second content serviceprovider.
 30. The method as in claim 27, wherein initiating distributionof the consolidated content guide over the shared communication linkincludes: transmitting the consolidated content guide over the sharedcommunication link in response to receiving a request from thesubscriber entity to simultaneously view, in a single unified listing ona display screen, titles of corresponding content available from acombination of the first content service provider and the second contentservice provider.
 31. Computer-readable storage hardware havinginstructions stored thereon, the instructions, when carried out by aprocessing device, causes the processing device to perform operationsof: receiving communications indicating content available to asubscriber entity for retrieval from a first content service providerand a second content service provider; and producing a consolidatedcontent guide to include a first group of entries and a second group ofentries, the first group of entries indicating different titles ofcontent available from the first content service provider, the secondgroup of entries indicating different titles of content available fromthe second content service provider.